Comments were broadcast, 3rd October 2011, by very senior highly qualified and establishment figures calling the professionalism and effectiveness of the General Medical Council (GMC) into serious question:-

1] Dame Janet Smith, Chair of the Shipman Enquiry into the murder of over 200 patients by GMC Registered Dr Harold Shipman commented on the Channel 4 documentary, and I quote:-

"The GMC was a deeply flawed organisation. Adjudication Panels were too lenient. They were too reluctant to deal with doctors in a way that was in the public interest."

My first question is this: Please can you, the GMC send me copies of emails, faxes, letters and contemporaneous notes of meetings in relation to addressing and resolving the issues raised by Dame Janet Smith in her serious allegations of the FLAWS and related criticisms about the GMC? Thank you.

2] The Right Honourable Stephen Dorrell M.P., Chair of the House of Commons Health Select Committee stated on the same Channel 4 documentary as referenced above that, and I quote:-

"The Select Committee looked at the performance of the GMC, in recent times, and was able to identify cases where clearly doctors, who by the GMC's own findings, didn't meet basic professional standards - were still allowed to practise. Now I think it's incompatible with public confidence in the medical profession for that to continue to be the case."

My second question is this: Please can you, the GMC send me copies of emails, faxes, letters and contemporaneous notes of meetings in relation to addressing and resolving the issues raised by the Rt. Hon. Stephen Dorrell in his serious allegations and criticisms about the GMC?

Thank you for your email of 10 October 2011 asking for information under
the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA).

We will consider your request and give you the information as soon as we
can, normally within the 20 working-day limit set by the FOIA.

Please note that there may be some information which we cannot release
to you under the FOIA. If this is the case, we will let you know why and
state the relevant exemptions given in the FOIA. We will also give you
information about how to appeal our decision.

I have allocated your request to Courtney Brucato. If you have any
questions, please contact her on 0161 923 6692 or email
[email address].

Unfortunately, I need to seek clarification of your request as I am
unable to identify the information that you seek.

To enable me to process your request in accordance with the Freedom of
Information Act 2000, I must ask you to clarify the information being
sought/refine your request.

Dame Janet Smith
1) Can you please confirm if you are seeking emails, faxes, letters
and contemporaneous notes of meetings
a. following the publication of the 5th Report of the Shipman
Inquiry or
b. following the comments made by Dame Janet Smith in the recent
Channel 4 documentary "Can You Trust Your Doctor..."

Rt. Hon. Stephen Dorrell M.P.
2) Our interpretation of this part of your request is that you are
requesting internal emails, faxes, letters and contemporaneous notes of
meetings following the GMC's recent appearance before the Health Select
Committee. Can you please confirm if this is correct?

Thank you for your missive seeking clarification and dated 18th October 2011.

I would confirm and clarify in relation to information regarding issues highlighted in the recent Channel 4 documentary "Can You Trust Your Doctor..." that I am requesting under the Freedom of Information Acts....

1] Dame Janet Smith: Answer 'b' -

GMC emails, faxes, letters and contemporaneous notes of meetings following the comments made by Dame Janet Smith in the recent Channel 4 documentary "Can You Trust Your Doctor..."

2] Rt. Hon. Stephen Dorrell M.P. -

GMC emails, faxes, letters and contemporaneous notes of
meetings following the GMC's recent appearance before the Health Select Committee

AND

GMC emails, faxes, letters and contemporaneous notes of
meetings following comments made about the GMC by the Rt. Hon Stephen Dorrell M.P. as broadcast in the recent Channel 4 documentary "Can You Trust Your Doctor..."

Please feel free to revert with any further clarification request.

In the meantime I look forward to your reply within the statutory timeframe.